Adjustable hanger for electric outlet boxes



March 2, 1954 c. HOFFMAN 2,670,917

ADJUSTABLE HANGER FOR ELECTRIC OUTLET BOXES Filed Dec. 12, 1952 0 I5 I6 I7 0/ WW2 O O 9 27 26 7 Q a 2/ a Q 7 24 i la. 0 2

INVENTOR- Patented Mar. 2, 1954 T OFFICE ADJUSTABLE HANGER FOR ELECTRIC- OUTLET oxes Charles Hoffman, Salisbury, I Application DecemberlZ, 1952, Serial No. 325,617

r 1 V This invention relates to supports for electrical outlet boxes, and more particularly to an improved adjustable support adapted to be em-" ployed for supporting an outlet box from spaced joists. I a -A main object of the invention is to provide anovel and improved adjustable support for anv electrical outlet box particularly suitable for'use in supporting an outlet box between spaced joists,

a for example, in buildings where steel ceiling joists are placed mor than two feet apart and where the ceiling is hung on the bottom of the joist or suspended below the joist. v

A further object of the invention is to an improved adjustable support for an electrical outlet box particularly suitable for use between steel ceiling joists, the outlet box being adjustably supported in a desired position, the supporting means being arranged to provide any desired height of the outlet box over'a relatively wide range of adjustments, the supporting device being simple in construction, being easy to install and involving inexpensive components.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following-dethe accompanyscription and claims, and from ing drawing, wherein:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view, partly in provide 3 Claims. I f (01. 2,48-'57)' vertical cross section, showing an electrical outlet box supported by improved adjustable supporting means constructed in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 2 is a cross sectional view taken on the line 2--2 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is an enlarged horizontal cross sectional view taken on the line 3-3 of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is an enlarged horizontal cross sectional view taken on the line 4-4 of Figure 2.

Referring to the drawings, designate respective portions of ceiling joists, such as hangers connected to respective spaced ceiling joists, or other spaced structural elements from which it is desired to support an outlet box, shown at |2. Designated at 3 is a horizontal tubular bar which is engaged by and supported bythe members H, as, for example, by the provision of respective apertures in the members through which the end portionsof the tubular bar 3 extend. Designated at M is a vertical sleeve member formed with diametrically opthe sleeve member I4 on opposite sides of the tubular bar member l3 are respective spaced parallel arms |6 and I! said arms being integrally connected at their lower ends by the sleeve portion 18, the arms l6 and l! being arcuate in cross section and being arranged coaxially with the sleeve portion |8. Each of the arms I6 and I! is formed with the spaced apertures-l9, the

apertures l9 of the arm !6 being staggered'rel ative to the 'aperturesof the arm ll, and said apertures being spaced uniformly along the respective arms. Designated at 2|! is a set screw which is threadedly engaged-through the wall of the sleeve member M and which'is engageable through a selected aperture H3 in one of the arms, asshown in Figure 2, the set screw-120. ex. tending over the horizontal tubular bar l3 trans- T versely thereto and being clampingl engage able with the inside surface of the opposite arm ll. For example, the screw 2H is engaged through a selected aperture IS in the arm l6 and clampe ingly engages the inside surface of theopposing arm ILi Thus, the sleeve portion I8 is. suspended.

in a desired adjusted position relative to the horizontal tubular arm 13.

The sleeve member I8 is formed with the outn wardly projecting lug elements 2|, 2|which are diametrically opposed, as shown in Figure 7 2.

The sleeve member=;|8 is engagedthrough the central opening in the major wall of the outlet box I2, and disposed on thelower end .of the. "sleeve member 8 is the stud'member 22,: said stud memberihaving the flaring skirt portion 23 whichis engageable against the inside surface of the major wall 24 of the outlet box adjacent.

the central aperture therein. Extending axially through the stud member 22 is the fastening screw 25 which is threadedly engaged in a transverse bar member 26. The bar member 26 extends through diametrically opposed apertures 21, 2'! formed in the sleeve member |8 above the outwardly flared lugs 2|, 2|, the respective outer ends of the bar member 26 being notched at 28 and the resultant segments being spread outwardly, as shown at 29, 29 to secure the bar member in the sleeve |8.

As shown in Figure 3, the respective lugs 2|, 2| may comprise opposed downwardly flared arcuate ribs extending for substantial distances around the circumference of the sleeve member l8, whereby the outlet box is rigidly locked to the sleeve member when the screw 25 is tightened.

It will be readily apparent that the outlet box l2 may be readily securedto the sleeve member l8, as above described, by inserting the end of the sleeve member l8 into the central aperture in the major wall 24 of the outlet box, then engaging the stud 22 over the lower end of the sleeve member, and then engaging the screw 25 through the central aperture in the stud member 22 and into the threaded opening in the cen- 5 tral portion of the transverse bar member 26 By tightening the screw, the outlet box I2 is locked to the sleeve member M. The sleeve member l4 is'rdisposedon the horizontal tubw lar bar l3; andthe bar'l3 is engaged with the supporting members H, H. The arms I6 and I! are then inserted through the sleeve member: on opposite sides of the tubular-bar I3; andethev screw is then engaged through a seleeted aperture 19 in one of the arms and tightened to 5 engage the inside surface of the opposite arm, whereby the supporting structure. islcompletely installed and the outlet box is ready for receiving the electrical elements to be containecli therein. 20

Whilea: specific embodiment of an improvechv hanger 'device for an electrical =outlet box has been 1 disclosed in" the foregoing description,. it; will be understood a that variousmodifications withiir': the-:spiriti of the invention may occur to those skilled-in the art. Therefore;it'is intended2 that-1' nolimitations be placed on the invention except as defined by the scope of the appended: claims;

What .is'claimed 1. Incombination;a-horizontal support mem= ber :adaptedto be-engaged between a pair of joists; aisleeve member formed withdiametfically opposed'openings receiving ;said supportmember, a hanger barhaving, spaced parallel aperturedarms'and a sleeveportionconnecting said arms;; said arms "beingslidablyengageable through said first sleeve member on'opposite sides of said supportimember, a'fastening member extending; overthe:horizontal 'supportmembersecured in said first sleevemember and'extending through a se lected-aperture intone of said arms,.an* outlet box formed with an aperture receiving said lastnamed: sleeve portion; a' transversebar' element extending. through-said last' namedt sleeve. portion above the outlet box, vmeans on saidlast namediisleeve. portion limiting upward movement of ith'eioutlet box, a stud member/engaged on'the v bottom endiof :said last named sleeve portion: and i engaging the; outlet box adjacentthetaperturetherein; and atfastener; extending. azdallythroughx: said:'stud memberand lockingly engagediwitlrsaid transverse bar. element;

2. In combination, a horizontal support member adapted to be engaged between a pair of joists, a sleeve member formed with diametrically opposed openings receiving said support member, a hanger bar having spaced parallel apertured arms and a sleeve portion connecting said arms, said arms being slidably engageable through said first sleeve member on opposite sides of said supportmember, a fastening'screw extending through the wall of- 'said first sleeve memberand extending through a selected aperture in one of said arms over said support member, an outlet box formed 1 with an-apertu-rereceiving said last-named sleeve portion; a transverse bar element extending through said last-named sleeve portion above the outlet box; means on said last-named sleeve portionslimitingl,upwardmovement of the outlet box, a stud'member engaged on the bottom end of said'last 'named sleeve portion and engaging the outlet box adjacent the aperture therein, and a fastening serew' -extending axially through said studtmember and threadedly engaged with ;,said.--. transverse ,bar element;

3. In combination, a horizontal support' meme ends of said arms, said; arms being'slidably en-- gageablethroughsaid first sleeve member onop positeqsides of andtransverse tosaid support-v member, a fastening screw extendingthrough the: wall of said first sleeve member and extendin through a selected aperture in' one of said arms over said support member and clampinglygengaged against the other arm; an outlet box formed with an aperture receiving said lastnamed sleeve portion, a transverse-barelement extending; through saidlast-named sleeve poretion above the outlet box; opposed outwardly ex=- tending lugs on'said last-named sleeve portion. limitingupwardmovement of the outlet boxg'a' stud member engaged on the bottom end of said last' named' sleeve portion andengagingtheoutlet boxadjacent'the' aperture therein, and arias" tening screw extending axially; through said stud member and threaded-1y engaged with :said transversebar element. a

CHARLES No references cited. 

